Spent 20 minutes trying to find a thread that fit what I wanted but everyone seems to be willing to watch all of Star Trek. I tried TOS and while it’s not bad I don’t want to watch every single episode of Star Trek to get into the show…
What’s the best order to watch the most universally enjoyed Star Trek series’ and movies? I really enjoyed Lower Decks as a fan of Final Space and Strange New World’s looks incredible. I want to start with the earlier series but not have to watch all of it!
I think most people agree that TNG is either at the top, or close to the top for best series. There’s also a smaller, diehard group that think DS9 is the best trek (myself included).
TNG is more adventurous where the crew is always on the side of morality and reason, and use wits and principles to overcome obstacles. Every episode is an adventure, and each adventure varies greatly from saving a planet from destruction or saving someone from their own mind. DS9 has larger, darker story arcs and more of a “sitcom” feel (in the best way possible) where the focus is more on the characters rather than the adventure. The episodes vary greatly in terms of theme, you could have an episode where you’re laughing every 2 minutes from the sheer silliness, or witness the most psychologically gut-wrenching thing you’ve seen in a long time. You can’t go wrong with either, and both have a bit of a rougher first couple seasons before they hit their stride.
As far as more recent trek, I enjoyed pretty much all of them but I would say strange new worlds is probably the cleanest and best for a new person. Lower decks is absolutely incredible but is more of a love letter to all the previous shows so you won’t get as much out of it as someone who has seen everything.
I’d also point out that TOS, TNG, Lower Decks, and SNW are primarily “monster of the week” format while DS9, VOY, Discovery (and maybe ENT? Can’t remember it) have some monster of the week episodes but are more serialized stories with long story arcs. I like them all but some people prefer one style over the other.
Something else to check out might be The Orville. Its not tied to Trek at all but it’s about as close as you can get to a modern TNG.
Absolutely agree with you both! Didn’t know what to expect from the Orville but I was so pleasantly surprised. A little TNG with some Lower Decks like humor sprinkled about. I’m biased though, love some MacFarlane .